Fireworks Safety
The prevention of injury and destruction of property are key goals that the dedicated members of Prince George County Department of Fire & EMS and Emergency Management strive for each day. To ensure that you and your family remain safe during the summer holiday season we have provided key information related to fireworks safety. Additional links for fireworks safety along with a safety video can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
To help ensure that you stay safe during the Fourth of July Season the National Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council of Firework Safety offer the following safety tips:
- Always read and follow label directions.
- Always have adult supervision present.
- only purchase fireworks from reliable dealers.
- Only ignite fireworks outdoors.
- Ensure water source is available nearby.
- Never attempt to experiment or manufacture your own fireworks.
- Light only one firework at time.
- Never attempt to re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.
- Never provide small children with fireworks.
- Store fireworks in cool, dry location.
- Dispose of fireworks properly.
- Never throw fireworks at another person.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
- Never shoot fireworks in glass or metal container.
- Only ignite fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and other flammable materials.
- Only ignite fireworks after all persons are out of range of fireworks.
"Permissible fireworks" means any sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies.
Illegal Fireworks by state law/fire prevention code
"Fireworks" means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.
County Code
ARTICLE II. FIREWORKS
State law references: Fireworks, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-974.
Sec. 42-41. Permit for public display.
(a) Public displays of fireworks may be given by fair associations, amusement parks or by any organization or group of individuals in accordance with a permit from the fire official, under the minimum terms and conditions set forth in the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (Code of Virginia, § 27-94 et seq.). It shall be unlawful for any person to give such display without first having obtained a permit.
(b) Any person desiring a permit shall make application therefore to the fire official at least 30 days prior to the date of the fireworks display. Such application shall be on forms provided by the fire official. The applicant shall furnish such information as may be required by the fire official.
(c) Upon filing of an application for a permit, the fire official shall make an investigation to determine whether the applicant is properly qualified to present a public fireworks display and whether such display can be held without danger to persons or property. If the fire official is satisfied with the results of such investigation, he shall issue the permit. If he is not satisfied with the results of such investigation, he shall refuse to issue such permit.
(d) The fire official may specify in the permit any conditions which he shall deem necessary to protect persons and property. Such conditions may include but shall not be limited to the type of fireworks to be used in such display, the hours when such display may be presented, required fire extinguishing equipment, the presence of trained firefighters and police officers and any other requirement that the fire official may deem necessary.
(e) Each permittee under this section shall file with the fire official evidence of a policy of liability insurance or a bond in an amount deemed adequate by the fire official for the payment of all damages which may be caused to persons or property by reason of the permitted display and arising from any acts of the permittee or his agents, employees or subcontractors.
(f) No permit issued pursuant to this section shall be transferable. (Code 1988, § 5-23) State law references: Permits for display of fireworks, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-974. Sec. 42-42. Disposal of unused fireworks after public display. Any fireworks remaining unfired at the end of any public display shall be immediately disposed of in a way that is safe for that particular type of fireworks. (Code 1988, § 5-24) Secs. 42-43--42-70. Reserved.
State Law
27-95. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them:
"Board" means the Board of Housing and Community Development.
"Code provisions" means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code as adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted and promulgated from time to time by such Board.
"Enforcement agency" means the agency or agencies of any local governing body or the State Fire Marshal charged with the administration or enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code.
"Fire Prevention Code" or "Code" means the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
"Fire prevention regulation" means any law, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and use of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or other agencies.
"Fire Services Board" means the Virginia Fire Services Board as provided for in § 9.1-202.
"Fireworks" means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.
"Inspection warrant" means an order in writing, made in the name of the Commonwealth, signed by any judge or magistrate whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or entered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and to conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
"Local government" means the governing body of any city, county or town in this Commonwealth.
"Permissible fireworks" means any sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels commonly known as whirligigs or spinning jennies.
"State Fire Marshal" means the State Fire Marshal as provided for by § 36-139.2. (1986, c. 429; 1988, cc. 340, 549; 1989, c. 258; 2002, c. 856.)
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